Jimmy White is unsure how Ronnie O’Sullivan will fare at the 2025 World Championship (Image: Getty)
Jimmy White has revealed the problem that he has with headed into major tournaments at present – a lack of match sharpness. The 62-year-old recently appeared on Cue Tips YouTube channel, when the topic of conversation turned to O’Sullivan and the , which take place across April and May.
O’Sullivan is currently tied with Hendry in terms of total World Championships to his name, each boasting seven at present. And while White believes that ‘The Rocket’ will return to the baize for snooker’s largest tournament, he’s unsure how he will fare.
He explained: “Well listen, he’d like to get to eight to beat your record, but you know, you’ve got to get your act together. You can’t keep not playing in competitions and then expect… okay, he did have that year out and then come back and win it. But he still practices, he’s still playing all the time.
“I’m sitting on EuroSport sometimes and he says he hasn’t played, and the cameramen have just got the balls out for him for four hours. I think he will get it together for the Crucible for this year. Whether he’ll win it or not I don’t know.”
White also pointed out that a lack of match sharpness may hinder O’Sullivan headed into the World Championships, adding: “I think he will prepare, but the problem I’ve got with him – he’s got no match (sharpness). He’s not sharp because he hasn’t played any matches.”
O’Sullivan has withdrawn from seven ranking tournaments this season thus far, failing to play on the tour since snapping his cue in frustration at the Championship League in January after losing four of his five matches. The 49-year-old has since pulled out of , the German Masters, the Welsh Open and the World Open.
Ronnie O’Sullivan has dropped out of numerous events as of late (Image: Getty)
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Explaining his absence earlier this month, O’Sullivan took to social media to announce he was looking to prioritise his health and wellbeing, and that he hoped to get back to his best. He wrote on X: “I realise plenty of people who bought tickets to some recent snooker events will have been frustrated when I withdrew, so I just wanted to say sorry to those of you who’ve been disappointed with me having to pull out of those tournaments.
“I’ve been trying to prioritise my health and well-being, which sometimes means making last-minute decisions not to play. It’s never an easy decision and I hate letting people down. I’m doing what I can to get back to my best, and I’m grateful for all your support and understanding.”
O’Sullivan is next set to face Si Jiahui at the World Grand Prix, scheduled for March 4. With seven World Championships, eight UK Championships and 41 ranking titals in total to his name, it’s easy to see why many fans and players alike consider O’Sullivan to be one of the greatest to ever play and want him back. He still sits fourth in the official world rankings, as many await his return.